Top tips for Online Selling
by Startacus Admin
If you want to sell online then you should take a look at some of these basic tips...
Although the internet may have had a detrimental impact on traditional retail, it has also been responsible for the creation and growth of online retail and thereby has helped lots of businesses find a much more cost effective and 
economical route to market. For startups in particular, online selling not only is the cheapest option but can prove to be the most successful one. If you are considering going down that route to sell your product or service, here are 5 tips for online sellingthat you ought to consider.
Research your Competition
With a traditional bricks and mortar store, identifying your high street competitors is easy, with online selling however it’s not quite the same. Unless your product or service is truly unique, there are likely to be many other people selling the same or similar products to your own. It’s essential to research fully who they are. Researching your competition will help you decide the right price points for your product, provide you with info on marketing and promotion and help you to identify other areas or avenues that you could explore to market your wares.
Images and Photos Matter
Obviously with a an online store, a potential customer can’t actually see or feel your product as they would in a regular store. It’s essential therefore to make sure that your products are shown in the best way possible. With no shop windows or displays to merchandise, it’s important to ensure that your products are shown in their best light. Ensure that the images and photos that you use are of professional quality and standard. If they’re not, potential customers are simply likely to keep browsing and find another site which seems to be selling a better quality product
Choose the right ‘store’
Selling online can be done in many different ways. You may choose to sell your products in a dedicated marketplace , for example if your product is a craft, there are a range of platforms you could sell from. You may instead decide to create your own website or add an ecommerce function to your existing site. There are also lots of useful platforms and tools to help you create your own store. Whichever option you choose, make sure that the store you choose is the best fit for your product or service.
Images and Photos Matter
Obviously with a an online store, a potential customer can’t actually see or feel your product as they would in a regular store. It’s essential therefore to make sure that your products are shown in the best way possible. With no shop windows or displays to merchandise, it’s important to ensure that your products are shown in their best light. Ensure that the images and photos that you use are of professional quality and standard. If they’re not, potential customers are simply likely to keep browsing and find another site which seems to be selling a better quality product.
Reviews and Recommendations
When you can’t see a product in the flesh, it’ always beneficial to speak to someone who has. With online selling, the same principle applies, which is why many online retailers encourage customers to leave feedback and product reviews and testimonials. Again look at what options you could integrate for doing this and then how you could use the info attained to help further market your product. Personal recommendations can often be much more effective than any traditional advertising techniques.
Remember the Practicals
Spend some time reviewing practical matters such as how payments will be taken and how products will be delivered and despatched. Choosing a Secure payment system is essential if your site is going to be deemed a recommended resource.
Also, it can be worthwhile to look at other sites to establish typical charges and delivery times etc. That way at least you can remain competitive. Also research what options you may have for delivering your orders and factor in the costs for their distribution.
It is the details like these that can make or break a sale for many potential customers, therefore don’t just react when you are asked about it. Have your payment and distribution strategy already in place.
If you are interesting in selling online - you might be interested in our interview with Jason Dainter and Liam Patterson of Ethical Community who created an online eco-friendly and natural marketplace.
Some of these recent posts may also be of interest to you;
Founder of online retail space 'Girl Meets Dress' talks to Startacus
Market Direct- Online shopping + farmers market
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Published on: 14th February 2013
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